The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

STIMULI

The stimuli was a Roman anti-personnel boobytrap weapon, similar to a modern anti-personnel mine. The stimuli comprised a heavy, tapered wooden stake about 20 cm in length and about 8 cm in diameter at the top into which was fixed a long, thin, barbed iron spike about 20 cm in length. This was then secured into the ground with the intention that a running enemy soldier, upon standing upon it would drive the barbed metal spike through his foot, the barb preventing easy extraction, thereby disabling the soldier who at best would have to rip his foot clear leaving a very serious wound.
Research Stimuli